Brake



Nov 22 1932. B. YPEARSON 1,888,691.

BRAKE Filed April 16, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 1 .M m W.

H. PEARSON BRAKE .Nov. 22, 1932.

Filed April 16 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HOWARD B. PEAEJ'O/V Patented Nov. 22, 1932 nowannnrnnason, or" SAN r mno soo, cnmromvia BRAKE A Application filed April 1 6,

j The invention forming the subject matter of this application relates to brakes and pa.r-, ticularly to expansion brakes of the pressure oetype; I, 515 i In expansionbrakes of the pressure type commonly used atpresent, the pressureshoes arehinged on a fixed anchor, they pivot aroundthe anchor so that the shoe end farther from the pivot describes an are around the anchored end, when the brake is applied, This uneven expansivemovement of the pressure shoes creates uneven brake pressure, namely the pressure "at the free ends of those shoes will be larger than the pressure at 13 points, of the "shoes nearer to the anchored ends thereof. Uneven pressure causesuneven Wear of the brake lining, because the portions of the lining at the free end of the shoes are the only parts of the lining Where 13 high brake efiiciency is produced. i Ordinarily the above type of brakes em: ploy a cam to operate the brake mechanism, but such cam does not move the anchor, it moves the pressure shoes around-the anchor asapivot.-

It isthe primary object ofmy invention to provide a brake in which the entire brake band is rotatable and-beingso supported as to allow free movement of the brake band to 5 any position it, may be; forced, the brake mechanism being adapted to be held rigid at all positions to which it may be brought, without in any Way, distorting the shape of the brake band. 7 [j Another object of the invention is thepro vision of a brake inwhich the tightening adjustment, can be accomplished by the single adjustment of a stationary member without causing the brake to bind at any point. ":9 In the ordinary brakesusing a brake band, it the brake is adjusted only at one point of the mechanism, other points of the brake and brake band will drag, andit usually requires from two to sometimes seven separate 7* adjustments on such a-brake to create the proper,equal clearance all around the brake lining. In my brake the adjustment is achieved by the movement of a single,nor mally stationary, adjusting element, which it? in itself is capable of producing the required 1929. Serial no. 355,487.

of the brake lining,

eman tes PATENT. or-Fic f'--f i equaltightness and clearancelat all points In the ordinary brakes which may utilize '7 a self-energizing principle, namely the [creation "of brake pressure bylt he brake, mechabrake mechanism, wherever the free ends of the expansion shoes may be forced. "Therefore it is another" object of my invention to provide a brake which fully utilizes the self energizing principle of the brake mechanism around the entire periphery of the brakelin- 55 "nism itself, this self energizing begins at a, single point oficontact ofthe brake lining, and then itis; limited to certain. portions of} 'f the brake, such as the top or bottoln of the ing, namely after the initial: expansion of the brake band, the entire brake'lining is brought into contact with the rotating drum in such amanner as to create the required brake pressure instantaneously,- and at all points of the brake lining. a Another object of the Tinvention is theprovisiongof a brakeinwhich the pressure created by the expansion of the brakerband is equally and uniformly distributed: through:

the lining; thus'theshape'of the band isretained without distortion, and the pressure. c onthe inner periphery of the drum is uniform thereby relieving the strain on the bearing of the rotary element to which the brake is applied; by the elimination of excessive pressureon one point of the drum, brake squeaks and groans, usually set up by fine vibrations in the ordinary unbalanced brakes, areentirely obviated.

. Another object of the invention is the pro-I vision of an expansion brake having a single piece brake band supported on a floating U anchor mechanism, and operated by the an chor supporting shait'positively,'and W1th.

high efliciency at all points of the inner brakedrumperlphery; the-means toeXpand said brake 'band' being supported on a central stationary hub element, which" latter '1s" 10. V out the entire periphery of the band and of I l construction, positiveness ofoperation, and

. facility and convenience in use and general efficiency.

In .this specification and the annexed drawings, the invention is illustratedin the form 7 considered to be the best, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form, because it may be embodied in other forms; and it is also to be understoodthat in and by the claims following the description, it is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied. i

V The invention is .clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

V Fig. 1 is a rear view of the brake;

.- -Fig; 21M side demean r the brake; I a Fig. 3 is asectionalvviewof thebrake, the

' sectionbeing taken on the line 33' of Fig. 4;

f he. 2V5" V oftheidru'm 6'.

' Fig. 4 is'as'ectionalview of the brake, the

' section being taken on the line 4+4 of Fig,

i {#Fig. 5;i s"a fragmentary sectional view at "the brake pressure equalizer mechanism of "In-carrying out my invention'I make use of a rotatable brake drum 6 in which is sup portedja single piece brake band'l', on a floatinganchor mechanism 8. The'en-ds of the brakeband 7 are spaced from each other as at 9. On the outer'periphery of the brake f band 7' is the usual brake lining 11' for frictional engagement with the inner periphery The' brake band 7 is supported on the anchor mechanism 8 by an anchor shoe 12, having a substantially U-shaped cross sec H tion, tothe legs of which shoe l;2 'is pivotally secured a link1-3 by means of ananchor pin 14.; vThe linkf13 fulcru'ms aroundan eccene tri'cf16 and is rotatable around the eccentric,-

the eccentric 16 being-an integral part of an operatingshaft 17. The shaft 17 is rotat ably'supported in a bearing bracket 19 of a stationary brake mounting 21. The brake band ;7 1s c1rcular so that in inoperative p651: tlon there 1S3. subtantiallyrannular clearance providedbetween the outerperiphery of the brake lin nglland the innerperiphery of thedrum6.- 7 I i In order to apply the brake "an initial movement must be created to rotate the entire brake band in the direction of the drum rotation, in a contra-clockwise direction, viewmg Flg. Then means, are p-rov ded to simultaneously expand the entire brakeband... These...expanding. "means are first actuated by the'rotation' of the band until-theinitial" I V frictional contact is created at the inner periphery of-the drum, then the rotation of the drumcreates the additional pressure required for retardlng or stopping therotation of the drum. Thus my brakev is rendered self-energizing, namely, in my brake after the band is rotated to'a certain extent so as to create the initial expansion and frictional engagement thereof with the drum, the additonal pressure required to stop the drum rotation is generated by the brake mechanism itself. The brake is applied by rotating and expanding'the band also when the drum is rotated in reverse direction, ex-

cept that in this latter instance thebrake is i i not self-energizing, the brakingpower .in

this latter case must be developed by manual pressure of the brake. operating mechanism.

link 13 as. to result in the rotation of the band 7 in contraclockwise direction viewing Fig. 3. The expansion of the brake'band 7' and the creation ofthe'brake pressure is ac complished by the useot a plurality QffG'X pansion arms 22 which connect the brake. i band 7 to a central stationary, element :23. The expansion arms 22 vare not attached di-' rectly to} the brakeband 7, but are so connec'ted' thereto as to'efi'ect the equalizing" of i the brake'pressure in the brake mechanism. Four pairs of pressuredistributingshoesi24 and'26' are; fixedly se'curedat regular inter vals to the inner periphery of the brakeband 7. In eachjpair ofsaid-shoes is disposed an equalizer link 27. The shoes are of substan 1 tially U-shaped cross section, the legs thereof extending radially toward the center of the brake mechanism; Anend of each equalizer link 27 ispivotally secured in the respective shoe 24, while theother'end of the equalizer link 27 is free to move in the respective shoe 26. The expansion arms 22- are pivotally secured to the respective equalizer links 27 midway between the shoes 24 and 26;

'When the brake band is rotated in acontraclockwise direction viewing Fig. 3, the expansion arms22 are turned around then respectlve nner pivots 28, however, the arms 22 are disposed-at such an angle that the arcs 7 described by the outer ends thereof are eccentric relatively to the brake drum, hence the said outer armeends are moved toward the arms-22' completelyaroundthe'ir inner,-

pivot 28, instead, it forces the ends ot the 1 arms 22 outwardly, thereby generating th brake'pressure which is proportionate to'the speed ot'rotation of the drum :6 and to the. frictional resistance of the-brake lining ll'.

The pressure thus created i is transmitted through the equalizers 27, with equal force upon the respective shoes 24 and 26 and is equally distributed throughout the entire brake band 7.

[Itis to be noted that an expansion arm 29- :s plvotally secured at the opposite ends 15 r 1 The slight rotation of the brake band-7 accomplished by the'rotationofthe eccentric '16, which will cause such movement vof the thereof to the stationary element 23 and to the anchor shoe 12, in such a position as to act similarly to the expansion arms 22 for expanding the band 7 thereat. The outer.

end of the arm 29 is formed inthe shape {of a clevis 30 so as to straddlejthe link 13 at the anchor pin 14, the entire clevis30 being dis osed between the legs :of the shoe 12.

I}; order that the equalizer 27 may function properly and distribute the pressure evenly on the brake band, the connection be tween the free end of theequalizer 27 and the shoe 26 is made adjustable, A set screw 31 is threadedly secured in the free end of the equalizer 27 and extends therethroug'h so. as to bear upon the'bottom of theshoe 26."

attached an end of a tension spring 33, the

tionary by other end of said springbeing attached to the band 7, so as to resiliently press the free end of the equalizer 27 and the screw 31 to' ward the respective shoe 26. This sprmg lends a certain resiliency to compensate for slight inaccuracies of adjustment.

The stationary element 23-is rendered sta reason of its particular connection to the brake mounting 21. The element 23 is constructed of two parallel disks 34, spaced from each other and receiving therebetween the inner ends of the arms 22 and of the arm 29, the pivots28 of whichextend through both disks 34 at regular intervals adjacent to the outer circumference thereof. The inner pivotal connections of two of the arms 22 are constructed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. Pivot screws 36 of these two arms extend not only through the disks 34 and through the inner ends of the respective arms 22 but also through elongated, arcuate slots 37 in the brake mounting 21. It is to be noted here that the mounting 21 constitutes a circular disk with the bearing bracket 19 extending radially therefrom.

-' Upon the threaded ends of the two last mentioned pivot screws 36,are nuts'38 which bear against the outer face of the stationary brake mounting 21, thereby holding'the disks 34 in fixed position soas to enable the stationary element 13 to support the inner ends of the arms 22 and of the arm 29.

In order to facilitate adjustment and to further hold the element 23 against rotation, an extension 39 is formed on the lower most ,pointof the outer disk 34, which extension: protrudes outside ofthe mounting 21 and opposite to a lug 41 formed'on the lower portion ofthe mounting 21; An-ade ten'sion39 and bears against the lug 41. It

.justing screw 40" extends through-said ex 7'0 I is to Joe-noted that the extension39 is disposed in clockwise directionfrom the lug 41, viewing Fig. 3,1so that the action ofthe screw 40resists counter-clockwise movement of the disks'34. -After loosening the nuts 38, the adjustment of all the expansion arms maybe simultaneously efiectedaby the turn ing of the adjusting screw 40, whereby the extension 39 is spaced relatively to the lug '41, thus the disks39 may be moved to'change the angularity of all the expansion arms at once. The clearance between the lining 11 and-the drumwhen the curvature of the band 7 is properly-adjusted will be such that the expansion of the brakeband'T willcause the instantaneous contacting of the lining with the'drum with an lequal pressure at'. 1 all p oints around the periphery thereof. As

heretofore set forth, the proper curvature is adjusted by the adjusting screws 31, however, the ad ustment of the band curvature is required only at the first assembly of my brake, or sometimes after the relining of the brake, otherwise the screws 31 are'tobe securely locked in their adjusted position. The

usualadjustment for tightness once thebrake is assembled, is accomplished merely by. the

aforesaid movement of the stationary mem-.

hers. I v

In order to. prevent vibration or rattling of the brakeband 7within the drum,;,an anti-rattlespring 42 is provided, one-end of the anti-rattle spring '42 is attached to'the anchor, pin 14, the other end thereof to the outer. pivot of the expansion arm 22 'a'dj'acent thefree end'of the band 7. By this spring 42 the brake band is held in its substantially annular shape, without allowing the vibration ofthe unanchored end thereof, whereby rattling or the like is effectively obviated.

The brake is applied by pthe rotation of i i the operating shaft 17 in the bearing bracket 7 19. For this purpose I provide a brake opcrating arm 43 secured to the operating shaft 17 and having abrake pull rod 44 pivotallyattached thereto adj acentv the free end there-' of. On the free end ofthe operating arm 43 is pivotally secured an arcuate leve'i46, slidably guided inan aperture 47 in theulug 41. On the portion of the ar'cuate lever 46, beyond the lug 41, is mounted abrake release spring 48, bearing at one end against asemispherical bearing member 49 in the lug 41, and von the other end against a nut51 on'the free end of the arcuate-lever 46. -A pull on the pull r'od44,'moves the operating arm 43 and the lever 46' against :the actionof the spring 48, thus rotating the shaft 17. a The rotation of the shaft 17 rotates the eccentric '16, thereby so moving the floatinganchor 8 as to'rotate the entire brake band in con-w a tra-clockwis'e direction, viewing Fig. 3. By

the rotation of the ,brakej band 7 ,the expan-Q sion arms 22 and'29 are moved aroundtheir inner pivots and thereby cause the. initial 6X4, pansion of the band 7. Immediately'when the lining 11 contacts with the drum 6, the

self-energizing action commences, because thedrum tends to rotate the band-in contraclockwise direction,'th ereby a. force is exerted on the expansion arms '22 and-29, which brake band and creates the pressur-eto efi'ec-. tively-press the lining 11 against the innerforce is equally distributed over ithe entire periphery of the drum 6. This,; ..pressure must be exerted manually when'the drum rotates .in areverse direction. Theelement 23 is held stationary by reasonoi its connection with the brake mounting 21. When the pull on the pull rod 44 is released, the action of the spring 4 8returns the operating arm 43 to its original position, thus causing the rotation of the shaft 17 in clockwise dire'c tion, viewing Fig. 3.' .The shaft 17 thus returns the link 13 and the floating anchor 8,

7 to their respective released positions, rotating the brake band 7 therewith, which in turn results in the movement of the expansion arms 22 and 29 into their released position.

Thus the lining 11 is'jmoved out of its contacting position. 1 a V The brake heretofore. described may be -mounted upon any rotarymechanism by, se- $51 curing the brakemounting 21, thereof to a stationary part of the mechanism, and by securing the drum 6to a rotarymachine part. The illustration onthedrawings shows the brake'mounting 21 secured to a'fiange 52 of.

a stationary axle 53, by means of machine 'screws 54. Thefiange is cut away as at 55,

to accommodate the adjustable pivot screws 36 and nuts 38. r

In the event the brake is used. on the rear wheel of an automotive vehicle, the brake mounting 21 would be attached to a flange similar to flange 52 except that the flange would be a part of a 'stationary axle hous ng, within which the rear axle rotates. The

- drum 6 is attached to the rotating element,

' 5 4, indicated in'Fig. 4.

such as a wheel by means ofbolts or screws It is to be noted that On: the outercircumference'of the "cover 56 is formed an annular flange 57 overlappin the outer periphery of the drum 6,'to protectthe brake mechanism from dust, orthe like.

The dust cover is secured to the brake mountng 21 by means ofscrews 58, and it is split, or formed in two halves so that it maybe removed, without necessitating the complete dismantling of the brake. This removable dust' cover permits the adjustment of' the brake mechanism without demounting the brake.

I claim and desire j v a dust cover 56 is pro- 'vlded to cover the open end of the drum 6.

. It "will be, recognizedthat the }-afore-. 1

described brake maybe adjusted without I movingtheload from the bearings of the mechanism on which -the .brake is employed. 1

When my brake isused in connectionf with" weight of the vehicle on the wheels. Itwill be also recognized that a brake is provided which obtains. the power'for the brake presautomotive vehicles it is not necessaryt jfick up the-wheel in order to adjust the brake. Such adjustment may be effected with the full sure from the inertia of the moving vehicle, in-a forward direction, 'or o' f-the rotatingv element in one direction, and in this eventrthe.

"only-effort required to apply the brake isto overcome the" tension otthe spring i8, and eflectthe initial rotation ofthe brake band, thereafter-the brake energizes" itself, My brake combines simplicity of operation and of adjustment, with ruggedness of construction and pos'i'tiveness of operation which readily adapts :the brake mechanism for-its use it adjustsxitself togtake up wearinthe moving; parts thereof,-and its proper adjustment of tightness between its lining and drum may be accomplished by asingle adjustment; My invention provides an expansion brake mechanism with asingle piece brakeband supported on a floating anchor, and operated through the anchorsupporting shaft, positively and with .high efiiciency at every point r V of the inner brake drum periphery.

j Having thus described this invention, what 7 I to secure'by Letters Patent,

is: r m

1. :A brake comprising stationary v ment; a brake drumrotatable relative to said element; :a. brake. band 1n, said drum; an

anchor for holding said brakebandin ,posi v tion; means. to move theanchor on a substantially lineal-path to rotate said brake band relatively to said-mounting ,elementand means actuated by therotation of said brake" band to expand said brake band thereby pressing the same against the drum;

2. A brake comprising-a-stationaryelement a brake drumrotatable relative to said element; a: brakeband in said drum; a floatoperative relation thereto; a brake b'and'in:

said drum; an anchor to support said brake band in position; means for supporting said anchor and for'inovingthe same on a substantially lineal path'so as to rotate thebrake band. relatively to said mounting element; and adjusting means actuated by the rotation of the brake band to .expandsaidbrake band thereby pressing the same against the drum.

'4. A brakecomprising a stationary element; a brake drum rotatably supported in operative relation, thereto; a brake band in said drum; an anchor to support said brake band in position; means for supporting said 6 anchor and for actuating the same so'as'to i rotate the brake band relatively; to said mounting'element; means actuated by the rotation ofthe brake band to expand said brake band thereby pressing the same against the drum; and means connected. bea tween the brake band and said expanding means to distribute and equalize the brake pressure throughout the entire'band.

5. A brake comprisinga stationaryelee ment; a brake drum rotatably supported in operative relation thereto; a brake band in saiddrum; an anchor to support said brake band in position; eccentric. means for supporting said anchor and for, moving the same on a substantially lineal path so as to rotate the brake band relatively to said mounting element; means actuated by the rotation of the brakeband to expand said brakeband thereby pressing the same against the drum,

said expanding means comprising expansion arms connected at regular intervals to the brake band; and ,a stationary member ,for pivotally supportin theinnerends of said arms so as to allow t e movement of the outer ends of said arms toward the drum, when the brake band is moved in the direction of the drum rotation. V I

6. A brake comprising a stationary .element a brake drum, rotatably supported in operative relation thereto; a brake band in said drum; a fioatinganchor tosupport said 7 brake band in position; means for support ingsaid anchor and for actuating the same so as to rotate the-brakeband relatively to said mountingelement; means actuated by said drum; a floating anchor to support said brake band in position ,means for. supporting said anchor and foractuating the same so as to rotate the brake band relatively to said mounting element, means actuated by the robrake band to tation of the brake band to ex and said brake band thereby pressingthe same against the drum, saidlexpanding .means comprising expansion arms connected at regularj'intervals to the brake. band; a stationary-member vfor when the brake bandlis rotated, said stir tlonary member being adjustable for simul-. taneously varying the angular positions of pivotally supporting the inner ends of said arms so as to allow, the movement of the outerhends of said armstoward the drum,

said expansion arms; andrmeans'connected between the outer ends of thearms and the distribute and equalize the expansion.

p i8. A brake "comprising-a stationary ele ment; abrake drum rotatably supportedin operativerelation thereto; a brake bandin saiddrum; a floatingianchor -to' support said brake band i i-position; means for; support;

ing saidanchor and foractuatingthe same soas .to rotate the brake band relatively tov i said mounting element; means aetuatedby the rotation of thejbrake band touexpand said brake, band thereby. pressing- 'the same against the -drum said expandingmeans comprising expansion .arms connected at reg ular ntervals to the brake band; a stationary member for plvotally supporting theinner ends of said arms so asto allow themovement of the outer ends of said arms toward the drum,'when the brake band is rotatedf said stationary membe'r being adjustable for simultaneously varying the angular positions of said expansion arms; and means connected between the outer ends of the arms and the e brake band todistribute and equalize the expansion; said equalizing means being'adjust-v able so as to cause the proper shape andex pansion of; said brake band at'all points of ts periphery. g j f 9. In a brake, a brake drum adapted to be attached'to a rotary element of a mechanism; a mounting element adapted tolbe' attachedv to a stationary elementof said mechanism, in operative relation to saiddrum; a :brake band disposed in said drum; anchoring means in side of thebrake band beingisupported-"on the mounting element for; anchoring said brake band; meansto move said anchoring means so as to move the-band within said drum expansion arms beingconnectedz-at 1 regular intervals to the band, and being'held against rotation by their-connection to said mountlng element; said arms belng so movable as to exert an outward pressure against said brake band when said band is actuated,

so asto expand the same; and means to automatically return said anchorand brake band to their inoperative position, when: released.

10. In a brake, a brakedrum-afdaptedto be attached toa rotary element. of a mechanism a mounting element adapted to be attached to a stationary element of said mechanism, in operative relationto said drum; a

meansf supported 'on the mounting element brake band disposed in -said drumg'noating V for anchoring-said brake band; means to actuate said floating means so as 'to'move the band within said drum; expansion arnisvbe ing connected atregular intervals to the band, and being heldiagainst rotation by their connection to said mounting. element said arms being so movable as to exert an outward pressure against said brake band when saidbandisflactuated, so as to expand the same; means to, automatically return said anchor and brake band totheir inoperative.

' positiomawhen released and means connect ed'between the expansion arms and the brake band; to equally" distribute the expansion pressure. throughout the periphery fv th band. i v r I 1 o "1-1. Ina brake, abrakedrum adapted tolbe H c attached to a rotary element of a mechanism;

' amounting element adapted to be attached to, a' stationary element of said mechanism, in

said floating means so as to move the band Within said drum expansion arms being connected at regular intervals to the band, and

being-held against rotation by their conned tionto said-mounting element,"said arms be-- 1 ing so movable as to exert an outward pres sure againstsaid brake band when said band 'isiactuated,=so as to'expand the samepneans toautomatically return' said anchor and brake V.

I hand to their inoperative position,-- W-hen released; and means connected between the f expansion arms and the'brake band to equalto aestationary' element of said'mechanism, in op'erat'lve relationto said drum; 'a-xbrake 1y distribute the expansion-pressure. throughout theperipheryof the band, said last means I a ing'isaid'brake band; means to actuate said floating means so as to move the band vvithin 5 v said drum, expansion arms'being connected: 7. v r at regularintervals to the band,and being' heldg l being adjustablejto equalize the said pressure, relatively to-the druni periphery. 1

attached to a rotary' element of mechanism; a mounting'element adaptedto be attached banddisposed'insaid drum; floating means supportedonthe mounting element for. an-' Fchor'ing said brake band; means to actuate "said floating means soas-to mov'e'the band 5 ;within said drum,- expansion armsibeing connected at regular intervals to'theband, and

being: held against rotation by their connection torsaidmounting element; said armsbeing'sormovable as to exert an outward pres- V sure against said brake band when said'band isactuated, so as to expand the'same means to automatlcally return'sud anchora'nd brake band'to'their inoperative position, when released; means'connectedbetween the expan' V sion arms andthe brake band to equally dis tribute. the expansionpressure throughout the periphery of the band, said last Imeans" being'fadlustableto equalize the said pressure,

ctra'l stationary element pivotally I -12 In abrake, a brake drum adaptedto be I assass n relatively to the drum periphery; and exam supporting the inner ends of'saidexpansion arms. I

131. In a brake, a brake drum adaptedv to be attached to arotary element of a mechanism; a mounting element adapted to be-at-..

tached to a stationary element ofsaid mecha 'nism, in ,operatlve relation to- SELlCl drum; :a

brake band disposed"i'n said drunl; floating means supported on the mounting-element for v v anchoring said brake band; means to, actuate v said floatingmeans so as tomove'thefband Within-said drum,expansion arms beingcon-M nected at regular ntervals to the band, and

-. being held lagainst rotation'r'by their connece tion'to said mounting element; said arms-be.-

ing so movable as to exert an outward presto automatically return said anchor and brake sure against said brake band, when said band a is actuated, so as to expand thesame; means .85 band to their inoperative position, 'w'hejnre leased; means connected betvveen the expansionarms and the brakeband to equallydis v tribute the expansion pressure throughout the periphery" of the band, said last means being adjustable to equalize the said pressure, rela tively vto-the drum periphery; a centr'al stato adjustsaid stationary element relatively tionary element pivotally supportingthe innerf ends of said expansion arms; and means k f to said mounting element,"soas to adjust the position of said inner arm endsand of the angular. position o f said expansioni'arms; V

"-14, In a brake, a brake drum adapted to be attached to a rotaryelement of a mechanism;

amounting element adapted-to be attached to s a stationary element of c said mechanism, in operative relation to said drum; a brake band disposedin said drum; floating means supported on the, mounting element for 'anchor- 7 against rotation by their connection to' said 'mounting element; said arms 'being'somovable as to exert'an' outward pressur'eag'ainst V 1 {said brake band when" said band'isactuated,y so as to expand the same; meanstojautomatically return said anchorand' brake band to,

and resilient means to connect the free end of the band to the anchored end o'f the band, for

operative relation to said drum a brake band d sposed in said drum;'float1ng means'su iported on the mountingelement for anchor"- ing said brake band; means to actuatesaid e I c fioating'means so as to move the bandiwithin said drum expansion arms being connected at regular intervals to the band; and being:

i115 their inoperative positio'nf'vvhen released-{" held against rotation by their connection to said mounting element; said arms being so movable as to exert an outward pressure against said brake band when said band is actuated, so as to expand the same; means to automatically return said anchor and brake band to their inoperative position when released, said anchoring means comprising an anchor shoe adjacent an end of said band, a lever arm pivotally connected to. said shoe; an eccentric around which the lever arm fulcrum-s; and an operating shaft to support and to rotate said eccentric.

16. In a brake, a brake drum adapted to be attached to a rotary element of a mechanism; 7

a mounting element adapted to be attached to a stationary element of said mechanism in operative relation to said drum; a brake band disposed in said drum; floating means supported on the mounting element for anchoring said brake band; means to actuate said,

floating means so as to move the bandwithin said drum,expans1on arms being connected at regular intervals to the band, and being held against rotation by their connection to said mounting element, said arms being so movable as to exertan outward pressure against said brake band when said band is actuated, so as to expand the same; means to automatically return said anchor and brake band to their inoperative position, when released;

means connected between the expansion-arms and the brake band to equally distribute the expansion pressure throughout the periphery of the band, each of said pressure distributing means'comprising a pair of shoes fixedly mounted on the band in spaced relation to each other; an equalizer member pivotally mounted on one shoe and adjustably bearing on the other shoe, the outer sides of said connecting arms being connected to an inter mediate point of the respective equalizer members.

17. In a brake, a brake drum adapted to be attached to a rotary element of a mechanism;

7 a mounting element adapted to be attached to a stationary element of said mechanism in operativerelation to saiddrum; a brake band disposed in said drum floating means supported on the mounting element for anchoring said brake band; means to actuate said floating means so as to move the band vwithin said drum, expansion arms being connected at regular intervals to the band, and being held against rotation by their connection to sa1d mounting element, sald arms being so 'movable as to exert an outward pressure against said brake band when said band is actuated, so as to expand the same; means to automatically return said anchor and distributing means comprising a pair of shoes fixedly mounted on the band in spaced relation to each other; an equalizer member pivotally mounted on one shoe and adjustably bearing on the other shoe, the outer sides of said connecting arms being connected to an intermediate point of the respective equalizer members; and an expansion'arm connecting said anchor shoe to the central stationary member.

18. In a brake, a brake drum adapted to be attached to a rotary element of a mechanism;

" a mounting element adapted to be attached to a stationary element of said mechanism i in operative relation to said drum, a brake choring said brake band; means to actuate said floating means so as to move the band within said drum, expansion arms being connected at regular intervals to the band, and

being held against rotation by-their connecbrake band to their inoperative position, i'

when released; means connected between the expansion arms and thebrake band to equally distribute the expansion pressure through the periphery of the band, each of said pressure distributing means comprising a' pair of shoes fixedly mounted on theband in spaced relation to each other; an equalizer member pivotally mounted on one shoe and adjustably bearing on the other shoe, the outer sides of said connecting arms being connected to an'intermediate point of the respective equalizer members; and an'ex- P81181011 arm connectlng said anchor to the central stationary member, said expansion arms being longer than'the radial distance be tween their, inner 'pivotalpoints and the in-" ner p'eripherv'of the drum and being inclined against the direction of theband rotation;

Intestimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at San Francisco, California, this 8th day of April, 1929. a 1 a HOWARD B. PEARSON.

brake band to their inoperative position,

when relased means connected between the expansion arms and the brake band to equally distribute the expansion pressure throughthe periphery of the band, each of said pressure.

80 band disposed in said drum; floating means supported on the mounting element foran- 

